Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire

By Dr. Deborah Adamy, PhD., LMSW, LMTSociety & Culture Religion & Spirituality Spirituality Personal Journals

Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire episodes

August 31, 2020 Episode 131 Douglass DeCandia, agricultural abolitionist, poet
Oh what an emotional week this has been! How my heart aches for Jacob Blake, the black man who was brutally shot 7 times in the back by police officers, with his young children witnessing such racial violence as they sat in their car. The outpouring outcry in the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin, pleading for justice. The appalling, intentional hatred by a 17 year old white supremacist who illegally crossed state lines with an AR-15 to terrorize and murder protesters. The racist policies that allow such terrorism to exist, with people and policies not being held accountable. Then as if the emotions weren't intense enough, we learned on Friday that Chadwick Boseman, beloved actor, role model, humanitarian, died of colon cancer. He was a symbol of compassion, strength and black power! Rest in peace, inspiring one. My guest today is Douglass DeCandia. Doug is an agricultural abolitionist, poet, and truthsayer. Doug had been my guest 2 years ago and I felt compelled to invite him back because he continues to inspire me, particularly during this critical period of racial reckoning in our country, for he has his finger on the pulse of the earth and of humanity. He and his partner, g. adabelle, co-authored a chapter that will be published in a handbook for international abolition. Doug sees the intimately correlated relationship of land with abolitionist work, experiencing the healing aspect of agriculture as it easily flows into activism and social justice work. He acknowledges that 4 centuries of white supremacy has left this country in utter turmoil, economically, socially and morally. Think of it, we haven't ever seen a just food system in this country. Doug encourages white people to call each other in and call each other out, to listen to the land, listen to the elders, listen to the black movement leaders. Doug, humbly urges all white people to do the work within ourselves and with each other, to not only dismantle racism, but to envision a more just and equitable society. Check out the show notes for links to contact Doug, access his poetry and learn of the abolitionist groups and people he references. I invite you to follow me on Instagram, where for the first time, last week, I posted 4 short video clips of my conversation with Vonetta Taylor. I'll also be posting some clips of my conversation with Doug. Let me know what you think. Comments can be posted on Instagram, below each video. We are also thinking of offering complete videos of my weekly podcast conversations on YouTube and would love your feedback. Thanks so much for your support. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Email Doug Center For Humans & Nature Doug's Poetry Soul Fire Farm North Star Fund - Victory Bus Project "Grandmother's Hands" by Resmaa Menakem Enlighten Podcast on Instagram
1 hr 1 min
August 24, 2020 Episode 130 Vonetta Taylor, mystic, spiritual guide
My guest today is Vonetta Taylor. Vonetta is a mystic, spiritual guide, entrepreneur, and Emmy award winning designer. Initially excelling in math and physics, Vonetta went to Cornell University, majoring in engineering, but then switched to Cultural Anthropology, which spoke more to her heart. Post-graduate research of magic, myth and education, brought Vonetta to Africa, but it was the people in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, not the academic world, that burst open a feeling in Vonetta of what is means to be truly human. After a 15 year career as a creative director and designer, Vonetta was called to leading groups and guiding individuals into a deeper, spiritual path. She is the founder of a mystery school named "Crowned and Throned" and offers healing workshops, moon circles, retreats and year long courses in service of the earth and the Divine. What an amazing journey of self-realization, from being a self-proclaimed atheist at 16 years old, committing herself to only believe and trust her own personal experiences, to now integrating the universal truths of meditation, astrology, yoga, dance, shamanism and the wisdom of indigenous elders. Vonetta embodies the depth of the phrase "Thou and I are one", which makes me feel the vibration of pure joy in her presence! Check out the show notes for links to Vonetta's website, find her social media platforms, as well as her newly launched conscious beverage company, "UNITY". Enjoy the podcast! Links: www.crownedandthroned.com Instagram www.drinkunity.com Twitter Email Vonetta Manual For Ascension Saged App
1 hr 14 min
August 17, 2020 Episode 129, A Revolutionary Response
I am happy to announce that my recent guided chakra meditation is now available on my website. Listen here. As we continue to delve into important layers of racial oppression, white supremacy, racial justice and what it truly means to dismantle racism, I am grateful to have this platform to share some of what I have been processing. Black people have acknowledged how difficult it is to give honest feedback to a white person about an interchange where they felt hurt, insulted or offended by a racist remark. Black people admit it rarely goes well. In fact when a black person dares to point out hurtful, blatant or implicit biases to a white person, they receive hostile reactions from white people. Dr. Robin DiAngelo asked the black participants of her workshops 'what would that be like for you to have a white person acknowledge their racist remark, own up to it, apologize for it?' One black person said to Robin, that would be revolutionary! Imagine that - revolutionary to be heard, acknowledged, received, understood with compassion. Wow! Revolutionary! Well, I want to be a part of that revolution! Remember racism was created by white people and it is white people, now more than ever, who must awaken, rise up and be pro-active in dismantling racism. I believe this revolutionary response is integral to dismantling racism, one person at a time, one friendship at a time, until all black people are heard, honored and treated with dignity. I want to create and live in a world where BLACK LIVES more than MATTER. I want to create a world where BLACK LIVES are recognized, valued, and celebrated. Help me create a world where BLACK LIVES THRIVE and FLOURISH!! Enjoy the podcast. Links: 1 Million Truths "The Fight" (Movie Trailer) Guided Chakra Meditation
8 min
August 10, 2020 Episode 128 Stormy White Guilt
This past week, the strong winds and heavy rains of Hurricane Isaias moved up through the east coast, uprooting thousands of trees. Mother Nature is reflecting what many of us are experiencing personally and collectively, the aftermath of not just the physical storm, but of the pandemic and racial injustices that continue to challenge and shake us. The force of the storm captured in the verbs: uprooting, toppling, crushing, crashing, knocking out, blocking, snapped, dangling and scattered are not so foreign to our own state of mental health these days. In this episode I focus on the concept of white guilt, which can manifest in different ways; reflecting on childhood memories, early awareness of injustice, and a drive to have my white guilt lead to action. I also humbly admit that white guilt got the better of me in a recent interaction with a podcast guest. Staying honest, vulnerable and committed to learning. Enjoy the podcast! Links: "Deconstructing White Privilege", with Robin DiAngelo "Teaching Tolerance Interviews Robin DiAngelo: White Fragility in the Classroom" "Stay Black and Die", The Daily (NY Times Podcast) "How Can I Cure My White Guilt", NY Times
15 min
August 03, 2020 Episode 127 Guided Meditation
I lead a 20-30 minute meditation with a small group of friends every Friday morning and this past week, one of my friends asked if I could record the meditation. I was moved that she would like to hear my meditation again, that she found my free-form guidance helpful in giving her a centering peace. So here it is for my friends and all my podcast listeners: a 20 minute spontaneous, organic guided meditation. May it help ground you in the midst of all the uncertainty, heartache, racial oppression and political turmoil going on in our country right now. I know my daily spiritual practices provide an anchor for me in the stormy seas of the pandemic, police brutality, systemic racism, and a deep cry for justice, as well as whatever personal challenges I face. May this offering help quiet your mind, provide calm and clarity to hear the wisdom of your body and enhance your own practices of peace. This comes from my heart, may it be received by your heart.
22 min
July 27, 2020 Episode 126 Kitty Hatcher, astrologer
My guest today is Kitty Hatcher. Kitty is a gifted astrologist and tarot reader, who reads astrological charts and teaches beginning, intermediate and advanced classes on astrology. I first met Kitty in 1993 and every reading from her since has helped me distinguish and live more confidently into, what Kitty describes as, who I truly am, as opposed to who I am programmed to be. With what has been exposed and unleashed with the pandemic and racial oppression, we also have the opportunity to think about who we truly are as a country, as opposed to who we've been programmed to be. I'm delighted to shine light on someone who can help us step back, and understand the bigger picture from a planetary perspective. I am moved by Kitty's insights, generous heart, gratitude for beauty and loving spirit. Check out the show notes for links to contact Kitty for your own astrological chart reading, to take one of her classes or to subscribe to her insightful newsletter. Enjoy the podcast!
Links: FB: Kitty Hatcher Awareness Through Astrology Email: [email protected] Cell: 443-610-6437 Ephemeris Tarot: Toth Deck http://www.angelesarrien.com/ John Lewis: Good Trouble (Trailer) Howard Thurman documentary AOC speech July 23, 2020
56 min
July 20, 2020 Episode 125 Honoring John Lewis
Instead of a guest today, I'd like to humbly do my part in honoring the life and legacy of John Lewis. Representative John Lewis died on Friday July 17 at the age of 80 from pancreatic cancer. You will find beautiful tributes to Mr. Lewis, in the recent New York Times article, on a NPR special and throughout social media platforms. Please take the time to learn more about this courageous, devoted man of integrity. I look forward to watching the documentary "John Lewis: Good Trouble". In addition to John Lewis' life, which embodied his values and steadfast fight for equality and justice, is the profound impact he had on so many people. Throughout this past weekend, I was so inspired by the countless posts I read on Instagram, from activists and everyday people I truly admire. Some included memories of meeting John Lewis in person, others paid tribute to what John Lewis endured and stood for. In case you don't follow the same people I follow or if you do and need to hear their words again, I'll share a few of these posts that touched me. Check out the show notes for links to the documentary about John Lewis, the New York Times article, and all the Instagram accounts of the people I quoted.
Links: New York Times, 7/17/20 John Lewis, Good Trouble Instagram: @npr @shaunking @danaigurira @justiceforgeorgenyc @kimberlylatricejones @leemerrittesq @reallouiscato @thana_alexa @jonbatiste
12 min
July 13, 2020 Episode 124 Horace Turnbull, Community Builder & Residential Treatment Center COO
My guest today is Horace Turnbull. Horace has spent his life devoted to positively shaping kids lives and uplifting community, through the value and power of the arts. Horace grew up in segregated Greenville, MS, in high school he helped farm families find housing, formed recreational activity program for young people, majored in sociology and psychology at Tougaloo College, before moving to New York. He began his career in a child welfare agency as a child care worker, and for the last 3 years of his career, before retiring 4 years ago, was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for St. Christopher's, a residential treatment center and school for children with emotional disabilities and special needs. In the decades in between, Horace was involved with the the world-renowned Boys Choir of Harlem (BCH), that his brother Walter founded in 1968. Horace was an incorporating officer of BCH and helped partner with NYC in creating a coeducational Choir Academy of Harlem. BCH instilled values of self worth, discipline and respect, teaching the choir that they were citizens of the world. Whether they sang classical, rock, jazz, blues, hip-hop or spirituals they were expected to sing every genre with the same fervor, enthusiasm, and quality. Horace was elected the president of the African American Male Collaboration, inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. Bobby Austin. Horace is also an elder at Berea Seventh Day Adventist Church in Nyack, NY and cares deeply about educating people about the roots, ingenuity and dignity of the Negro Spirituals. Check out the show notes for links to a recent article on Horace and background on Dr. Bobby Austin, who Horace mentioned when speaking of the African American Male Collaboration. Enjoy the podcast!
Links: Email Horace The Journal News/LoHud Bobby William Austin/Wikipedia
1 hr 18 min
July 06, 2020 Episode 123 Frances Pratt, President NAACP Nyack
My guest today is Frances Pratt. In my Nyack, NY community, Frances, at age 86, is a beloved, living legend. Frances is a registered nurse, who had a 53 year career at Nyack Hospital, which included being head nurse of ER and later a health administrator. The hospital named a waiting room after Frances, a scholarship in her name, as well as a positive-image rose garden. Frances is also a "licensed family care" provider and for 48 years housed up to 6 mentally challenged women in her home, at a time. The National Association for the Advanced of Colored People (NAACP) was formed in 1909 and is celebrating its 111th anniversary, continuing their commitment to social justice and equity. Frances has served as president of the NAACP Nyack chapter since 1981. In addition to her long history of making a positive difference in countless lives, Frances has wowed her colleagues, congregants, audiences and community members with her colorful, large, striking hats. She explains the origins of such vibrant accessories as a way for black women to boost their self esteem, give themselves respect after their exhausting hours of demeaning, dehumanizing work. I was honored to peak at a partial collection in her bedroom, where 100 of her hats resided! Frances's strong faith, altruistic values and deep care for humanity are embedded in her frequent southern sayings and memorized bible verses. Check out the show notes for links to the NAACP website and articles featuring Frances. Enjoy the podcast!
Links: Nyack NAACP "The Many Hats of Frances Pratt" - Patch Nyack News & Views
1 hr 3 min
June 29, 2020 Episode 122 Julia Adamy Pederson, musician/equal justice advocate
My guest today is Julia Adamy Pederson. Although Julia is an outstanding professional bass player, today's conversation is not about what a marvelous bass player she is, or her vibrant music career. Julia, my wholehearted, yet humble daughter, is uncomfortable talking about herself. True to the instrument she plays, her personality matches the function of the bass player: to be a supportive role, or as she describes it "I'd rather be felt, than heard". She agreed to be my guest, stretching herself beyond her comfort zone, only because she feels compelled to speak about what she is learning and experiencing in our country's current racial equality movement. In fact, she said it feels worse not to says something. Julia acknowledges that the pandemic has provided the opportunity for her to pay attention more closely and feel more deeply, while affording her the chance to directly take action. She shares impactful books and movies that have opened her eyes and expanded her mind. Julia and her husband (Ross Pederson, Episode 26) are learning to take solidarity to the next level. Julia describes the power of protest, the call to action and her hope for lasting change. As her proud mother, I know Julia is teaching me so much about white privilege and racism; I trust that many of us can relate to and be inspired by Julia's insights, vulnerability and desire to learn. Check out the show notes for links to Julia's website, Instagram account, as well as links to the resources she mentions. Enjoy the podcast! Links: www.JuliaAdamy.com Instagram: @JuliaAdamyBass www.RobinDiAngelo.com White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo When They See Us (Netflix) Director Ava DuVernay 13th Instagram: @justiceforgeorgenyc
1 hr 5 min

About Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire

From the publisher's feed

Dr. Deborah Adamy has conversations with everyday people who inspire, uplift and who are living their lives with vitality and joy. She admires people who can weather adversity and hardship without becoming cynical and bitter; who actually choose to learn, grow and find meaning and purpose in what they have experienced.